South Florida Local News
Chief financial officer Blaise Ingoglia awards more than 1.8 million dollars to local law enforcement agencies to strengthen immigration enforcement in Florida
St. Augustine, Florida – In a move aimed at bolstering local law enforcement’s ability to combat illegal immigration, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced today the awarding of more than $1.8 million to several Florida sheriff’s offices. The funds, distributed through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, are intended to strengthen local agencies in their ongoing immigration enforcement efforts and support public safety across the state.
The announcement included funding for five key law enforcement agencies: St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. Of the total funds, the largest allocation went to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office with $1 million, followed by Clay County at $606,151.13, Putnam County at $108,384, Jacksonville at $94,000, and Bradford County at $25,683.
CFO Ingoglia framed the funding as part of a broader effort to secure Florida from what he described as “criminal illegal aliens.” He stated, “Under the failed Biden administration, the detrimental impacts of illegal immigration plagued the nation, but President Trump has made it his mission to rectify these wrongs. By supporting our law enforcement and ensuring they have the resources they need to assist in immigration enforcement efforts, we are further securing our state from criminal illegal aliens. I am thankful for the efforts of President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis in securing the border and protecting the citizens of our great state.”
Local law enforcement leaders welcomed the funding as a critical boost to their operational capacity. St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick emphasized the impact on community safety, noting, “The money awarded to us by the State Board of Immigration is an investment in the safety and protection of our community. I am grateful for CFO Ingoglia’s support, and his dedication to making sure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to make St. Johns County and the State of Florida the best place in the nation to live, work, play, raise a family and retire.”
Similarly, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters underscored the importance of the funding in maintaining public safety, saying, “Criminal illegal aliens have no business in our great state of Florida. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the CFO’s ongoing commitment to illegal immigration enforcement and keeping Florida safe.”
For Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, the funding represents a tangible reinforcement of her department’s ability to respond to immigration-related challenges. She stated, “Because of CFO Ingoglia’s hard work, we have received the necessary funding for our agency to protect the residents of Clay County. Illegal immigration is a pressing issue in our state and country, this money will be used to strengthen our law enforcement so they can respond quickly and effectively.”
Other sheriffs also expressed appreciation for the financial support. Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith noted, “In Bradford County, public safety is our top priority and this funding for immigration enforcement ensures that our officers have the capability to assist immigration officials as effectively as possible. I want to thank CFO Ingoglia for prioritizing the needs of law enforcement agencies so we can do our jobs safely and successfully.”
Putnam County Sheriff H.D. “Gator” Deloach also commented on the benefits of the award, stating, “With the support of CFO Ingoglia and the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, our officers are better equipped to protect our state from the detrimental impacts of illegal immigration. Through the money awarded today we are keeping Florida safe and secure.”
The funding comes through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement for local law enforcement agencies that have applied for reimbursement under immigration enforcement programs. The program uses provisions of the 287(g) agreement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration laws within their jurisdictions.
As a member of the Florida Cabinet, CFO Ingoglia serves on the State Board of Immigration Enforcement alongside Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. This collaborative body oversees the allocation of funds and the strategic direction of state-level support for local immigration enforcement initiatives.
The announcement of these grants reflects ongoing efforts in Florida to provide local agencies with additional resources amid a national debate over immigration policy and border security. Advocates argue that these funds enhance public safety and support law enforcement in responding to complex immigration challenges at the community level.
For the local communities receiving the grants, the funding will directly aid in day-to-day operations, covering costs associated with personnel, training, equipment, and coordination with federal immigration authorities. According to CFO Ingoglia and participating sheriffs, the awards will help ensure that officers have the tools needed to address illegal immigration effectively while maintaining public safety across Florida’s diverse counties.
With more than $1.8 million now allocated, local law enforcement leaders are preparing to implement the resources and strategies outlined under the 287(g) agreements, signaling a continued commitment to immigration enforcement and community protection throughout the state.
This initiative highlights a coordinated effort between state leadership and local law enforcement to address immigration-related concerns while reinforcing Florida’s position on public safety and border security, illustrating the ongoing partnership between federal, state, and local authorities in managing immigration enforcement.
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